I've never put a scope on a handgun before so i'm looking for suggestions. It's going on a S&W 460xvr and it will be used for hunting. (hogs, deer, bear) Realistically a shot too far over 100 yards with a handgun is probably not the best shot selection, but with some (lots) of practice 150 is not out of the question. The 460 is going to pack a hell of a recoil so i'm looking at a leupold fx-II 4x28 or vx-3 2.5-8x32, i also looked at the new nikon force xr 2.5-8x28with the BDC recticle but it's so new i can't find any reviews for it. i took burris with the posi lock out of the picture because i found a dozen or so reviews on cabelas saying the recticle started spinning with the 454-460 calibers.

What would be the advantage of a fixed vs. variable scope? i under stand field of view but is one really more effective than the other? if they're both set for 4x wouldn't target aquisition be the same at that point? the leupolds run $350 and $550, the nikon $300. i have rifles scoped with both brands so i don't doubt the brands, just really wish there were some nikon reviews out there. thanks in advance for any info

I've never put a scope on a handgun before so i'm looking for suggestions. It's going on a S&W 460xvr and it will be used for hunting. (hogs, deer, bear) Realistically a shot too far over 100 yards with a handgun is probably not the best shot selection, but with some (lots) of practice 150 is not out of the question. The 460 is going to pack a hell of a recoil so i'm looking at a leupold fx-II 4x28 or vx-3 2.5-8x32, i also looked at the new nikon force xr 2.5-8x28with the BDC recticle but it's so new i can't find any reviews for it. i took burris with the posi lock out of the picture because i found a dozen or so reviews on cabelas saying the recticle started spinning with the 454-460 calibers.

What would be the advantage of a fixed vs. variable scope? i under stand field of view but is one really more effective than the other? if they're both set for 4x wouldn't target aquisition be the same at that point? the leupolds run $350 and $550, the nikon $300. i have rifles scoped with both brands so i don't doubt the brands, just really wish there were some nikon reviews out there. thanks in advance for any info

Nikon is a solid choice. I use Nikons and I love them. They have a great glass and warranty. You can get pretty much the same product that leupold oppers but cheaper.

Basically, the advantage variable has over fixed is that you will be able to zoom in a bit more. There really isn't any other advantage. Depends on how far you think your going to want to shoot I suppose.

I would go to a Cabelas or Bass Pro and compare everything you think you are interested in. Aim for a mounted animal across the store and see if you like it. Thats how I buy scopes.

unfortunately i don't have a cabelas anywhere near miami, and of the 3 bass pros within driving distnce of me, not one has a fixed power or handgun scope. hell the one in the keys doesn't even have guns, cause of all the hippies. not talking about you Bill. I'm the Cuban redneck stuck in Miami.

unfortunately i don't have a cabelas anywhere near miami, and of the 3 bass pros within driving distnce of me, not one has a fixed power or handgun scope. hell the one in the keys doesn't even have guns, cause of all the hippies. not talking about you Bill. I'm the Cuban redneck stuck in Miami.

I've never put a scope on a handgun before so i'm looking for suggestions. It's going on a S&W 460xvr and it will be used for hunting. (hogs, deer, bear) Realistically a shot too far over 100 yards with a handgun is probably not the best shot selection, but with some (lots) of practice 150 is not out of the question. The 460 is going to pack a hell of a recoil so i'm looking at a leupold fx-II 4x28 or vx-3 2.5-8x32, i also looked at the new nikon force xr 2.5-8x28with the BDC recticle but it's so new i can't find any reviews for it. i took burris with the posi lock out of the picture because i found a dozen or so reviews on cabelas saying the recticle started spinning with the 454-460 calibers.

What would be the advantage of a fixed vs. variable scope? i under stand field of view but is one really more effective than the other? if they're both set for 4x wouldn't target aquisition be the same at that point? the leupolds run $350 and $550, the nikon $300. i have rifles scoped with both brands so i don't doubt the brands, just really wish there were some nikon reviews out there. thanks in advance for any info

Oh yes this brings back memories.....I vote for no scope! I have the .460 S&W mag with the 8 3/8" barrel. I first put a middle of the road red dot on it that my local gun shop promised would handle the recoil "No problem". with the first shot the red dot exploded, Quite comically actually. Then the Leupold 2.5-8 VXIII. I managed 2" groups at 100 yds with that set up and believe me I was surprised....Then hunting season.....I realize I'm packing a revolver that weighs 5+lbs....ouch.
I pulled the scope and went back to open sights which net me 6" groups. I am fine with that from a handgun.
That's my little story. I sold the scope but still have the Warne base (was 100+ dollars then) if you are interested shoot (pun) me a PM.
FWIW the 460 is a blast to shoot, I'm not a fan of mega recoil in guns but this is one that's really not that bad and worth every bit.

Oh yes this brings back memories.....I vote for no scope! I have the .460 S&W mag with the 8 3/8" barrel. I first put a middle of the road red dot on it that my local gun shop promised would handle the recoil "No problem". with the first shot the red dot exploded, Quite comically actually. Then the Leupold 2.5-8 VXIII. I managed 2" groups at 100 yds with that set up and believe me I was surprised....Then hunting season.....I realize I'm packing a revolver that weighs 5+lbs....ouch.
I pulled the scope and went back to open sights which net me 6" groups. I am fine with that from a handgun.
That's my little story. I sold the scope but still have the Warne base (was 100+ dollars then) if you are interested shoot (pun) me a PM.
FWIW the 460 is a blast to shoot, I'm not a fan of mega recoil in guns but this is one that's really not that bad and worth every bit.

Also. You will never find a Nikon in my gun safes.

Well, with that said.............

I would think that with a gun like this with a scope or without, your not gonna just walk around in the woods looking for something to kill. Especially if your hog hunting. More than likely you will be in a tree stand or a blind with something to rest the gun on.

If you can rest it on something and steady it, you can get great groups. At least I can.

Whats wrong with Nikons? I have had one on my deer rifle for about 8 years and have never had to even adjust it. I wouldn't want anything else on it in fact.

I would think that with a gun like this with a scope or without, your not gonna just walk around in the woods looking for something to kill. Especially if your hog hunting. More than likely you will be in a tree stand or a blind with something to rest the gun on.

If you can rest it on something and steady it, you can get great groups. At least I can.

Whats wrong with Nikons? I have had one on my deer rifle for about 8 years and have never had to even adjust it. I wouldn't want anything else on it in fact.

I'm a west coast hunter though. We go to our food instead of waiting for it to come to us (we call places like that restaurants). I put on many many miles packing a gun of choice and that's why I made my statement and did what I did. If I hunted from a stand only I would have kept my scope.
Brand preference....I live and hunt in one of the harshest environments for modern hunting optics, I say this with regards to atmospheric pressure swings that reveal cheap or inferior scopes. I have seen what works for me and the huge majority here and I go with what I trust. If you like Nikons and they work for you....great.
Also Leupold is Oregon made, They know what we need.

I'm a west coast hunter though. We go to our food instead of waiting for it to come to us (we call places like that restaurants). I put on many many miles packing a gun of choice and that's why I made my statement and did what I did. If I hunted from a stand only I would have kept my scope.
Brand preference....I live and hunt in one of the harshest environments for modern hunting optics, I say this with regards to atmospheric pressure swings that reveal cheap or inferior scopes. I have seen what works for me and the huge majority here and I go with what I trust. If you like Nikons and they work for you....great.
Also Leupold is Oregon made, They know what we need.

Thread-jack off aye?

If thats the way you like to hunt, that is fine too. I hunt like that too. I was just stating that I would not carry a handgun like that around in the woods. It's something I would use as a stationary piece. If I needed that kind of firepower on the move I would opt for a rifle.

not really that worried about the weight for my november hunt, but it's crossed my mind plenty of times. the handgun is a better option for the bear hunt portion of my trip, we'll be using dogs and the 46" long rifle just isn't practical for some of the more heavily wooded areas while kepping up with the hounds.

I can't say i have a brand of choice (unless someone wants to throw some zeiss scopes my way)but i do prefer certain brands for certain calibers. leupold on the 375HH, nikon bucks on the 30-06 and 7mm rem mag, bushnell trophy xlt on the 300 win mag and r-15, and ashamedly the factory howa optics on my 308 but it ust happens to work really well.

you should youtube the steve scott safari hunt with his S&W 500 and the aimpoint scope, honestly i wouldn't have stood 18yds from and elephant (let alone any dangerous game) with an aimpoint scope.

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What would be the advantage of a fixed vs. variable scope? i under stand field of view but is one really more effective than the other? if they're both set for 4x wouldn't target aquisition be the same at that point? the leupolds run $350 and $550, the nikon $300. i have rifles scoped with both brands so i don't doubt the brands, just really wish there were some nikon reviews out there. thanks in advance for any info

Over the years, I've heard some people argue that with a variable scope, your point of impact can vary with the power setting. I'm not necessarily convinced that's true, but it's the argument.

Otherwise, it's just a matter of paying more for the option of being able to change the magnification of your target. Nice option to have, but you may or may not really use it.

Personally I have a Leupold 2x I use for plinking and range work. I've always been pleased with it. If I were going to set something up for hunting out to 100 yards, I think I'd go with the Leupold 4x.